Trevisani: Roma had Spence deal agreed before switching to Molina

Atalanta are preparing to tie down striker Gianluca Scamacca with a contract extension to 2030, after he remained with the Bergamo club despite Roma's interest this summer. Head coach Gasperini had wanted to reunite with Scamacca at Roma, where he could have filled the role of backup to Donyell Malen. Atalanta never seriously considered selling him, viewing him as a cornerstone of their attacking unit. The 26-year-old has established himself as essential to the Bergamo side's attacking plans. According to reports, Atalanta are now moving to protect their investment and secure his future by extending his current deal, with the new contract set to run until 2030.

Endrick has emerged as a target for Roma in the January transfer window, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini identifying the Brazilian forward as a suitable reinforcement for the attacking department. The player was close to joining Roma in the summer, but the move fell through because the 2006-born attacker was committed to proving himself at Real Madrid under Mourinho, who appeared ready to give him opportunities. With limited appearances so far this season, speculation over a potential departure has resurfaced. However, Endrick's representatives have moved to dampen the Roma interest. Alan Redmond, executive vice-president and Global Head of Football at Roc Nation Sports International, the agency representing the forward, has insisted the player remains focused on Madrid. There were multiple clubs from various countries interested in Endrick over the summer, but his determination has never wavered. Redmond said: "In the summer there were many clubs from different countries interested in him. His idea has always been to stay in Madrid. I am convinced that when he gets the opportunity he will score many goals. We will see what happens in the future, honestly I think he will stay at Real for a long time."

Endrick's next move remains unclear after the Brazilian forward failed to secure playing time at Real Madrid, despite José Mourinho blocking his summer move to Roma. With the January transfer window approaching, Roma have joined AC Milan and foreign clubs including Lyon and Aston Villa in pursuing the 2006-born striker. Roc Nation Sports International, the agency representing Endrick, signalled little likelihood of a departure. Alan Redmond, vice-president and Global Head of Football at the agency, said: "In summer there were many clubs from different countries interested in him. His idea has always been to stay in Madrid. I am convinced that when he gets the opportunity he will score many goals. We'll see what happens in the future, honestly I think he will stay at Real for a long time." Redmond added that Endrick had multiple suitors last summer but remained set on continuing in Spain.

Roma earned a hard-fought point on the road at Como, holding a 0–0 draw on 11 October despite playing most of the second half with ten men after Donyell Malen's dismissal. The Dutch winger was sent off early in the second half by referee Fabbri, a decision the raters found excessive given the overall nature of the play, though Malen was noted as somewhat reckless in the challenge. The result counted toward the sixth matchday of the Serie A season. Pierluigi Gollini deputised in goal and drew particular praise for his work on distribution and his alertness to Como's limited chances, keeping the bench-warmer tag away from Mile Svilar. At centre-back, Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka formed an imposing partnership; Mancini earned a 7 rating for his battling quality and composure in the tackle despite rare lapses, while N'Dicka dominated a physical duel with Como's Douvikas. Mario Hermoso supported the backline with careful defending before Leonardo Balerdi replaced him in the 60th minute. Marten de Roon covered ground reliably in midfield, earning a 7 for consistency with Gasperini's system. Paulo Dybala was handed a 6, his performance marred by a glaring early miss that could have altered the match entirely. Lorenzo Pellegrini made his return to the pitch and was credited with important work and technical quality, including a shot that struck the post from the edge of the area, though his fitness remained not yet sharp. He gave way to Matías Soulé at the 46th minute. Manu Koné was not at his sharpest, rated 6, while defender Nahuel Molina (5.5) struggled with precision; Devyne Rensch entered in the 81st minute and impressed on arrival. Gasperini himself earned a 6.5, praised for keeping Roma organised and tactically sharp after numerical disadvantage forced him to abandon attacking ambitions and deploy personnel with calculated precision through his substitutions. With parity in numbers, Roma had appeared the superior side and more threatening side before the dismissal.

Roma held Como to a draw despite playing most of the second half with ten men following Donyell Malen's red card, demonstrating the mental fortitude Gian Piero Gasperini demanded in a match that tested the squad's character. Pierluigi Gollini kept a clean sheet on his seasonal debut, while Marten de Roon marshalled the midfield with authority after Bryan Cristante's absence. The result—a point earned rather than lost—came at the cost of Malen's dismissal, which altered the tactical balance but unified Roma's resolve in the closing stages. The match unfolded as a tactical study between two sides that largely cancelled each other out for long stretches. Como pressed with intent, particularly through Nico Paz, but Roma's defensive line held firm. Gianluca Mancini recovered from an early lapse in concentration to anchor the back four alongside Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, each marshalling their zones methodically. When Hermoso departed in the 59th minute, Leonardo Balerdi seamlessly continued the work. Gasperini's substitutions tightened Roma's shape as Como intensified their assault; the manager made tactical withdrawals to reinforce the rear guard and limit the damage once numerical disadvantage took hold. Wesley battled constantly against Diao on the flank, Nahuel Molina invested considerable energy in both directions, and Paulo Dybala demonstrated leadership by rolling up his sleeves after Malen's dismissal to shoulder the burden. Gollini was tested early—he produced a strong save on Nico Paz within seconds but erred on timing with a second attempt, though he recovered to deny Caqueret. Dybala arrived at Como intent on unsettling the hosts and delivered a crucial ball recovery that unlocked the home defence and set up a Lorenzo Pellegrini shot. Pellegrini himself took ten minutes to settle into the flow but soon began advancing play in Roma's traditional fashion. Manu Koné struggled with accuracy and picked up an avoidable yellow card, while Matías Soulé entered at half-time but collected a caution himself during defensive duties. Malen's dismissal stemmed from a fierce recovery that Gasperini felt may have warranted an earlier stoppage for a preceding foul. The manager himself was far from serene on the touchline, frequently remonstrating with refereeing decisions in a match neither official found straightforward. Roma travel to face José Mourinho's side next week.

Roma drew 0–0 at Como on 11 October in a tight defensive contest that saw them finish the match with ten men. Pierluigi Gollini made several assured saves to earn a 7 rating, particularly with an early decisive exit against Nico Paz and a clean response to Caqueret when the Como midfielder found himself one-on-one with the Roma goalkeeper. Gollini's display underlined the weight of replacing Mile Svilar, as the shot-stopper answered calls in both halves from Paz. Roma's backline stood firm despite the numerical disadvantage. Gianluca Mancini (6.5) focused on preventive marking and attempted to break the lines, though he was caught out when a loose ball from his touch nearly found Como's Caqueret. Evan N'Dicka (6.5) remained alert throughout, studying Como's Douvikas and maintaining his concentration even after Roma went down to ten. Mario Hermoso (6) operated quietly in the opening period before growing into the match, with Leonardo Balerdi (6) entering at the hour to reinforce the wall. Nahuel Molina (6) threw himself into clearances and defensive support, though he showed less in attack. In midfield, Marten de Roon (7) operated the fundamentals of Gasperini's system with tackles, positioning and pressing, though his vertical distribution lacked precision. Manu Koné (6) began with composure against Como's midfield but produced some unnecessary decisions in front of his own goal. Lorenzo Pellegrini (6) made his return to action after nearly six months, captaining the side with a clear will to create density, and struck the post inside ten minutes before being substituted at half-time. Donyell Malen (5) received a red card for an entry the article describes as avoidable, though he had been among Roma's best performers—setting up a chance for Paulo Dybala in the opening minutes and creating space between the lines throughout the first half. Matías Soulé (6) entered after Malen's dismissal in difficult circumstances and managed some playmaking amid defensive duties. Devyne Rensch (6) and Emanuele Lulli (both appearing late) completed the match.